The Early Spring - Extra Chapter 5

Side Story 5 - Liang Chengmin

At first, Liang Chengmin didn't quite understand what Luan Mingrui meant.

It wasn't until she saw him stand up and begin unbuttoning his shirt that she suddenly caught on.

Scrambling to the corner of the bed, she pointed a finger at him and shouted: "Stay far away from me! Who wants to study you!"

"Then I'll study you. You teach me."

Luan Mingrui didn't know how to do it either. A few days ago, someone had stuffed a few magazines brought over from Hong Kong into his hands, telling him to study them himself. He had flipped through them briefly and gotten the general idea of what was involved. But he felt that was all there was to it—he was about to have a real, living person in his arms soon, so why bother looking at those!

"Who wants to teach you!" Liang Chengmin's heart beat wildly—thump, thump, thump. Wasn't it said that on the wedding night, a man and a woman simply exchange a look, blow out the light, and do whatever needs to be done? How had it turned into studying the human body! How did Luan Mingrui manage to make this matter sound so terrifying!

Luan Mingrui tossed his shirt aside, revealing a squeaky-clean white undershirt underneath. His build was very handsome—far better looking than Liang Chengmin's anatomical mannequin.

Climbing onto the bed, he sat cross-legged opposite her and said: "Liang Chengmin, come over here."

"I won't."

"Coward. Is this how you examine your patients too? The moment a patient takes off their clothes, you run away?"

"...You're the coward. Besides, you're not a patient."

"Don't you always ask me: 'Are you sick in the head?' I'm a patient. Come over here, I need you to give me a physical exam. Otherwise, you're not fit to be a doctor."

"You're talking nonsense!"

Seeing her talk back and argue so fiercely, Luan Mingrui knew she was no longer as nervous. Reaching out, he pulled the light string and shifted inward, thoroughly trapping her in the corner against the wall. Finding her hand in the dark, he pulled it over and pressed it against his cheek.

His face was burning hot. Liang Chengmin wanted to pull her hand back, but he refused to let go.

Tilting his head slightly, he kissed her palm and wrist before placing her fingertips right against his Adam's apple: "This is my Adam's apple."

"This is my shoulder." Holding her hand in the dark, he guided her to trace his shoulders. His shoulders were very broad, with remarkably straight clavicles positioned just right.

"This is my chest... What do you call these places in medicine?" When Liang Chengmin touched his chest, his muscles tensed up. Her hand felt as though it had been scalded, and immediately afterward, she was dragged straight into his embrace.

Their breaths mingled together in the dark.

"Liang Chengmin, why aren't you speaking? Didn't you have a sharp tongue?" Luan Mingrui turned his head to gently catch her lips. Guiding her hand downward bit by bit, he murmured: "Shall we study this place too?"

Liang Chengmin didn't know if all men were as shamelessly vocal as Luan Mingrui. Her hand felt scorched and her heart fluttered wildly. Being naturally eager to learn, she actually placed her hand over it and carefully felt every detail up and down.

Luan Mingrui loved how studious she was, pulling her tightly into his arms.

Only after an unknown period passed did he say: "Alright, now it's my turn to study you."

Placing his hand on her shoulder, he slowly moved toward her collar, his fingertips resting on her coat buttons. Liang Chengmin held his hand and finally spoke: "I'll guide your study."

Luan Mingrui froze for a second before bursting into laughter in the dark. How amusing Liang Chengmin was—how could she be so utterly adorable?

Entrusting his hand to her, he truly let her guide his exploration.

Liang Chengmin pulled his hand and pressed it against her own face. Luan Mingrui's lips followed right along—wherever their hands went, his lips followed closely behind. Liang Chengmin's breathing grew increasingly rapid; after studying medicine for so many years, today's examination of the human body was by far the most thorough.

Neither of them had any clear technique, spending the entire night fumbling around in a flustered scramble. When they opened their eyes the next morning, one was completely refreshed while the other looked utterly drained.

As their eyes met, everything from the previous night came rushing back into their minds.

Their very first time hadn't been a success because Luan Mingrui didn't know what he was doing.

He didn't know how, but he wasn't discouraged—just like doing business, losing a bit of money early on meant making even bigger profits later. Just when Liang Chengmin thought the human body study was over, he began his own self-directed exploration. He was far too eager to learn and far too gentle, exploring her inside and out with absolute thoroughness. At one point, Liang Chengmin couldn't hold back a sound, but he blocked it right back in, whispering in her ear: "I don't want anyone else hearing."

When Liang Chengmin couldn't hold it in, he used his lips and tongue to stifle her, trapping every single sound deep inside her throat.

Liang Chengmin loved it.

When she returned to her parents' home, Mother Liang secretly and discreetly asked her: "Mingrui... is he doing alright in that aspect?"

"From the perspective of human anatomy, certain organs of his are abnormal compared to ordinary people," Liang Chengmin answered with utmost seriousness.

Days passed in this manner.

The two bickered every single day, never quite producing a clear winner or loser. In short, no matter who made whom angry, as long as Luan Mingrui was around, he would give her rides to and from work without fail, rain or shine.

He bought her a women's bicycle, yet whenever he was present, he refused to let her ride it. He liked having her sit on the back seat of his bicycle as the two shuttled through the small town. When they argued, Liang Chengmin would sit on the back seat without touching his waist; when they weren't arguing, she would wrap her arms around his waist, her face pressed against his back.

Their real blowout argument erupted when Liang Chengmin went to the provincial capital for advanced medical training.

Liang Chengmin hadn't expected to run into her old classmate, Fu Bo.

Back then, her classmates had said Fu Bo had a crush on her, but she had been oblivious to it. The two often frequented the library together, and Fu Bo had always helped tutor her in her studies. In Liang Chengmin's heart, Fu Bo was merely a study partner.

Reuniting as old classmates carried a touch of warmth and familiarity, so after class, they invited a few other classmates out for dinner. During the meal, everyone felt that Liang Chengmin's marriage was a wonderful occasion, so they suggested having a few drinks. Liang Chengmin felt happy as well, so she agreed.

They drank—taking small sips at first, but once they got into high spirits, they began letting loose.

Luan Mingrui made a layover in the provincial capital to visit her. His female cousin lived nearby and mentioned wanting to invite them out for dinner together. The two waited at the entrance of the trainees' dormitory for a long time, only to end up waiting for a drunkard being supported back by another man.

Luan Mingrui had never been this angry in his entire life.

When he was angry, he wasn't a gentleman at all.

"Liang Chengmin, is this how you study?" Taking her over from the man's arms, Fu Bo didn't know who he was and asked him: "Who might you be?"

"I'm asking you! Who am I?" Luan Mingrui tugged on Liang Chengmin, forcing her to introduce him to Fu Bo. Leaning into his embrace, Liang Chengmin said to Fu Bo: "My husband."

The fleeting look of disappointment in Fu Bo's eyes didn't escape Luan Mingrui's gaze. He said to Fu Bo: "If you came here to study, then study properly. Is men and women going out to drink considered studying? Furthermore, were there no female classmates available to walk her back that you specifically had to bring her home? Are your intentions really that improper?"

"What are you saying!" Liang Chengmin sobered up slightly. Tugging on Luan Mingrui's sleeve, she said: "You can't talk like that!"

"How am I talking? Do I have to catch the two of you trapped in your dormitory room tomorrow before I'm allowed to talk like this?"

"Luan Mingrui!"

"Don't fucking call my name! Go back to your drinking!"

Tossing Liang Chengmin over to his female cousin, Luan Mingrui turned and walked away.

He utterly detested Liang Chengmin acting like this. In front of him, she always went against him, yet in front of outsiders, she put on an obedient, sensible face.

Liang Chengmin returned three days later.

When she arrived home, Luan Mingrui was reading a book. Stepping through the door, she placed her luggage on the table and said to him: "Apologize to me."

"Apologize for what?"

"You insulted my classmate and my friend, and you insulted me too. Apologize to me."

Liang Chengmin felt that Luan Mingrui was being completely unreasonable—saying those things in broad daylight had made her burn with shame.

"So you drinking with another man isn't wrong, but me catching you together makes me wrong? Are you sick in the head, Liang Chengmin!"

"You slandered me, so you must apologize to me!"

"What the fuck did I do wrong!"

"You're swearing! You're vulgar! You slandered me! If you don't apologize, I'm divorcing you!"

Liang Chengmin had been this stubborn ever since she was a child. Whenever she suffered an injustice, she absolutely had to argue her point back—no matter who the person was, she would never bow her head. That was precisely what she thought: Luan Mingrui had to apologize, and if he didn't, she would divorce him.

Luan Mingrui nodded: "Divorce, is it? When?"

"Tomorrow!"

"Fine."

Putting on his coat, Luan Mingrui walked outside. Liang Chengmin called out to stop him: "Where are you going? If anyone's leaving, it's me—this is your house!"

Carrying her luggage, she walked out the door in a huff and went straight back to her parents' home. Mother Liang was a bit surprised to see her and asked: "What happened?"

"Nothing."

Liang Chengmin decided to give Luan Mingrui one more chance—as long as he came to apologize tomorrow morning, she wouldn't get a divorce. Without even waiting for the next day, her own resolve had already begun to waver.

Early the next morning, Luan Mingrui arrived, standing right outside her house to wait for her without stepping inside.

Stepping out the door, Liang Chengmin asked him: "Did you bring all the paperwork?"

"Brought everything. Let's go."

In the past, when Luan Mingrui bickered with Liang Chengmin, he was never truly angry; he held her in his heart and couldn't bear to genuinely fight with her. But this time was different—Liang Chengmin had gone drinking with another man, allowed someone else to walk her back to her dormitory, and even demanded an apology from him. Luan Mingrui couldn't get over this hurdle. He would rather get a divorce.

His expression was cold, not even looking at Liang Chengmin: "Hurry up. I have things to do after we finish."

Walking beside him, Liang Chengmin secretly cast many glances at him, none of which he noticed. She suddenly felt a wave of sadness. With reddened eyes, she squatted down: "My stomach hurts."

"Once we're done, you can go home and rest."

"I can't walk anymore. We'll go another day."

"Fine." Luan Mingrui turned around and walked away.

Returning home, Liang Chengmin packed her things to go to work. Thinking of Luan Mingrui's resolute coldness, she suddenly felt that he actually didn't love her at all. He simply wanted to find someone to marry, that was all.

Liang Chengmin began overthinking things. After getting off work, she curled up in her room, waiting for Luan Mingrui to throw small pebbles at her window like before to call her out so the two could spend time together in the dark spots of the small town.

Luan Mingrui disappeared for several days.

One day at noon, Liang Chengmin went home to fetch some belongings and saw him standing by the roadside talking to a woman. The woman was wearing a dress rarely seen in that era and had on two large earrings, looking exceptionally modern. Liang Chengmin walked up and called out to Luan Mingrui: "Where are you going?"

"Having lunch with a friend in a bit."

"What kind of friend?"

Luan Mingrui pointed at the girl: "A female friend." Then he asked Liang Chengmin: "Is it convenient for you now? I can go handle the procedures with you first before having lunch."

Luan Mingrui didn't care about acting like a gentleman. Liang Chengmin had kept him awake night after night, trying to force him to bow his head, but he refused to bow down. Since she wanted a divorce so badly, then they would get a divorce.

Liang Chengmin nodded: "Fine. Wait for me."

She went back to retrieve the documents. Rummaging through boxes and chests, she couldn't find the household register or the marriage certificate, so she asked Mother Liang: "Mom, have you seen my things?"

"What things?"

"My marriage certificate."

"Your dad took it to get registered; he said it'll take a few days before he can bring it back. What are you looking for it for?"

"Nothing."

Liang Chengmin walked back out of the house and saw Luan Mingrui waiting there.

"My documents were taken by my dad to get registered. He won't be able to bring them back for a few days."

"If you don't want a divorce, just say so directly," Luan Mingrui said to her. "If you don't want a divorce, we can just make do together. You go drink your alcohol, I'll eat my meals, and we won't interfere with each other."

"Luan Mingrui!" Liang Chengmin let out a furious shout, her tears streaming down immediately afterward. She had never cried like this before, pushed to her limits by Luan Mingrui.

"What are you shouting my name for? Am I close with you?"

Perhaps driven beyond her limits by his anger, Liang Chengmin's vision went black, and she collapsed to the ground.